Less than two months after a January storm hit Oregon highways hard, southwest Oregon was walloped by another storm that dumped heavy volumes of rain, causing flooding, landslides and other problems that did significant damage to highways.

Most of the damage occurred in Curry and Coos counties. US 101, the Cape Arago Highway (OR 240), OR 42S, Powers Highway (OR 242) and other state highways and local roads were restricted or closed by fallen trees, debris flows, and collapsing lanes. On one section of US 101 south of Gold Beach, the road dropped nearly six feet. ODOT maintenance crews and private contractors responded quickly and repaired the state highways to get traffic moving again. However, many sections can’t be repaired properly until the ground dries and the earth stops moving.

Coast Hwy 101 between MP 335-337

ODOT and local governments - particularly Coos County and Curry County - are adding up the damage, which will likely total several million dollars. Luckily, the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program will likely reimburse most of the costs of reopening the highways, preventing the burden from falling on cash-strapped local governments and the state.